2/10/2011 @ 6:00PM

In Pictures: America's Biggest Brain Magnets

No. 6: Birmingham-Hoover, Ala.

Grad gain: 21,111

Share of 25+ Population, 2007: 2.86%

Birmingham’s strong showing on this list is likely due to the rapid growth in its surrounding suburban counties. One big development sure to lure brains: the rapid expansion of the University of Alabama’s medical center and surrounding private medical industry.